The Zig Zag Tam was originally published in the book, Beyond Knit & Purl, by Kate Atherley. The ravelry download now includes instructions to make a tam or regular pompom style hat.

This is a fantastic beginner colourwork pattern.

Skills used:
Corrugated ribbing (knit and purl in different colours)
Colourwork/fair isle knitting with 2 colours at a time
K2tog decreases
I-cord for the tam